In May, the African American Chamber of Commerce (AACC) of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware honored the University of Pennsylvania with its 2015 Corporate Advocate of the Year Award in recognition of the University’s commitment to diversity and inclusion with minorities, women and local businesses through its Economic Inclusion Program. Penn’s economic inclusion strategy includes annual goals for engaging local, minority and women-owned businesses and workforce participation in the areas of purchasing, human resources and construction and an array of programs and partnerships aimed at building capacity and community engagement.

Penn also finished in first place in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s nationwide 2015 College and University Green Power Challenge. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began its Green Power Challenge for higher education institutions in 2006. Penn has been the winner every year for the Ivy League, and since 2009, the overall winner in the College and University category.